25 Coolest Shoulder Tattoos for Men in 2020

 

Because the days of sailor tattoos, the shoulder has been one of the crucial well-liked locations for males to get inked. That’s as a result of the shoulder is historically related to energy and energy. Nonetheless, simply because shoulder tattoos are conventional, that doesn’t imply there aren’t new or thrilling designs. Try these cool, significant, and badass choices that may look nice on any man’s shoulder.

 

1. Dragon Shoulder Tattoo

Dragons have been well-liked tattoos for males for many years as they characterize energy, energy, and knowledge. Dragon tattoos  are additionally a flexible choice as they are often tailored to many various artwork kinds. For a dynamic shoulder tattoo, you would select a Chinese language or Japanese-style dragon as their lengthy, snake-like our bodies look nice wrapped round your bicep, lure muscular tissues, and chest.

 

 

2. Eagle Shoulder Tattoo

The look of an eagle tattoo will depend upon the person; for some males, it could possibly be a cranium, weapon, or tribal design. For others, a chook of prey – like an eagle – makes for a robust and intimidating inking. A hovering eagle about to strike seems unbelievable as a shoulder tattoo as a result of the wings will be tapered to span throughout the chest and across the bicep too.

 

3. Shoulder Blade Tattoo

Shoulder blade tattoos are one of many extra uncommon placements, which makes them stand out. As a result of your shoulder blades are a part of your again, you may go for an outsized tattoo with a lot of element. One of many extra well-liked designs for shoulder blade ink is wings. You’ll be able to personalize the look of the wings with a watercolor artwork type, or add real looking particulars with black and white shading. Make the feathers lengthen to the again of your arm for a hanging look.

 

 

4. Shoulder Tattoo for Black Males

The shoulder is a well-liked tattoo placement amongst black males. That’s as a result of tattoos in these areas characterize energy. Widespread designs embody spiritual symbols, household tributes, and lions. Nonetheless, it’s vital to seek the advice of an artist with expertise in tattooing black pores and skin earlier than you get your shoulder tattoo. That’s as a result of tattoos age in a different way on darker pores and skin tones compared with mild pores and skin, and a few ink shades gained’t look vibrant, even when recent. Plus, black pores and skin tends to scar extra simply.

 

 

5. Tribal Tattoo

First reaching the mainstream within the ’90s, the tribal artwork type stays well-liked for tattoos right now. The thick, curved traces are perfect for a shoulder tattoo as a result of they seem to ‘transfer’ together with your physique. Your artist will use your muscular tissues as a information for the place the traces of the design ought to lie, and form the inking to match. The ultimate result’s a hanging and masculine tribal tattoo.

 

 

6. Small Tattoo

Whereas your shoulder is a unbelievable place for bigger tattoos, small designs additionally look nice. Strive a one-word inking, a geometrical image, or a easy but significant tattoo like a cross. Plus, smaller tattoos take much less time to use, whereas your shoulder is among the least painful locations to get inked – making this an excellent selection on your first tattoo.

 

 

7. Spiritual Shoulder Tattoo

Spiritual males typically select the shoulder for a significant tattoo as a result of it’s related to energy. A religious tattoo in your shoulder signifies that your religion retains you robust and is the muse of your life. In relation to the design of the inking, there are various choices – a easy cross, dove of peace, or Sacred Coronary heart all swimsuit the shoulder placement.

 

 

8. Celtic Tattoo

The Celtic artwork type options hanging rings and knots, making it good for a shoulder tattoo. The round symbols and features assist form the tattoo round your muscular tissues, that means the design gained’t warp or look static in your pores and skin. Celtic spiral patterns even have a deeper that means; they’re believed to characterize the solar’s life-giving power, the union of the bodily and non secular worlds, and eternity.

 

 

9. Maori Shoulder Tattoo

As a Polynesian tradition, tattoos are conventional for the Maori individuals of New Zealand. Maori tattooing is known as ta moko and initially concerned making use of ink with chisels, slightly than needles. Nonetheless, right now many Maori males are inked utilizing fashionable instruments, which makes the tattoos smoother and fewer painful. The character of a Maori particular person’s tattoos can reveal particulars about their household, tribe, standing, and achievements. For Maori males, the shoulder is among the conventional locations to be tattooed.

 

 

10. Small Shoulder Blade Tattoo

The shoulder blade will be extra painful to tattoo than different elements of the shoulder, just like the bicep, so some males go for smaller tattoos on this placement. Matching shoulder blade tattoos – resembling double stars or sparrows – are well-liked decisions as they add steadiness and symmetry. Shoulder blade tattoos are additionally an effective way to emphasise again muscular tissues and broad shoulders.

 

 

11. Polynesian Shoulder Tattoo

For males of Polynesia heritage, tattooing is a conventional and sacred proper of passage. Polynesian tattoos mix curved traces with geometric symbols in addition to strong black shapes. They’ve a particular and distinctive look, in addition to a wealthy cultural heritage. The designs themselves are made up of protecting and nature-inspired symbols. Some of the recognizable is the wave, which is believed to protect and enhance an individual’s mana or life drive. Armbands and shoulder tattoos are conventional in Polynesian cultures.

 

 

12. Tiger Tattoo

Tigers are well-liked tattoo decisions for males as they characterize energetic, fierce, and highly effective predators. As a result of tigers are thought of vital in lots of Asian cultures, these animals are regularly tattooed within the Japanese or Chinese language artwork kinds. A tiger seems wonderful in your shoulder as its striped physique will be curved to suit round your muscular tissues. The result’s a life-like tattoo that’s filled with motion.

 

 

13. Quarter Sleeve and Shoulder Tattoo

1 / 4 sleeve tattoo doesn’t lengthen so far as a half or full sleeve tattoo, ending round your bicep. As a result of there’s much less area for the design in your arm, it seems nice when paired with a shoulder tattoo. Conventional Polynesian males’s tattoos are sometimes inked right here. As a result of your higher arm has curved sections out of your muscular tissues and bones, it’s important to decide on a tattoo artist who can adapt your design in order that it doesn’t warp and strikes together with your physique.

 

 

14. Angel Tattoo

A wonderful shoulder tattoo selection is an angel. Whereas it might have a spiritual that means, an angel may also characterize a cherished one who has handed away, or an individual’s ‘guardian angel’ who they imagine protects them from hurt. Alternatively, many Christian males select angels from the Bible as the premise for his or her physique artwork to point out their religion. A preferred selection is the archangel Michael, who’s the chief of the military of God.

 

 

15. Again Shoulder Tattoo

Males who desire a detailed, advanced tattoo ought to contemplate a bit that extends throughout their shoulders and again. If you have already got a sleeve, take related components out of your present ink and have your artist proceed the design additional. Doing so will give your ultimate ink a extra related look. In any other case, the again and shoulder are nice choices for a story tattoo – one impressed by a narrative – or a significant ink like a household tribute or spiritual tattoo.

 

16. Lion Tattoo

Lions characterize energy, energy, and confidence, which is why these tattoos are so well-liked with males all around the world. You’ll be able to adapt a lion tattoo design in many various methods, from the artwork type to the place of the piece. In your shoulder, strive a profile roaring lion’s head that may stretch out of your bicep to your chest.

 

 

17. Shoulder + Half Sleeve Tattoo

A half sleeve tattoo extends out of your shoulder to your elbow. A badass choice for any such tattoo is a knight’s armor, full with chainmail, plate, and scratch particulars. You’ll be able to even add your loved ones crest as a cool, personalised element. It’s an uncommon design that speaks to the hero inside all of us and can remind you to dwell as much as the knight’s values of bravery and integrity.

 

 

18. Cranium Tattoo

Skulls are one of the crucial versatile tattoo designs. From Mexican sugar skulls to Gothic skulls and even real looking anatomical skulls, they give the impression of being nice in each artwork type. As skulls tattoo contain round components and curved traces, they swimsuit the shoulder placement. Plus, you may simply adapt your cranium shoulder tattoo to create a badass cranium sleeve.

 

 

19. Star Tattoo

For males on the lookout for a easy, hanging, and significant tattoo, stars are a superb selection. As a result of stars are seen at night time and have been historically used for navigation, they characterize steering by way of the darkest instances in life. For some individuals, they characterize religion in God. A cool choice for a shoulder tattoo is a path of various stars that stretch from the lure muscular tissues right down to your chest.

 

 

20. Clock Tattoo

As clocks mark time, they’re thought of to characterize life and loss of life when utilized in tattoos. They remind us that our time on Earth is proscribed and to profit from daily. As a result of they’re so significant, many males pair their clock tattoo with different symbols. For instance, flowers and clocks might characterize the sweetness and transience of life, whereas owls and clocks characterize the gaining of knowledge over a lifetime. Like different spiral and circle designs, clocks look nice in your shoulder – significantly the curve of your shoulder joint itself.

 

 

21. Colourful Tattoo

Whereas black ink may be very well-liked for shoulder inkings, colourful designs look equally hanging. When you’ve got an intensive and sophisticated shoulder tattoo – like a half sleeve – shade can be utilized to make totally different components of the design stand out. Japanese-style inking historically incorporates a variety of colours, giving these tattoos a particular and dynamic look.

 

 

22. Higher Again Shoulder Tattoo

Higher again shoulder tattoos are extremely popular with males all around the world as a result of they emphasize broad shoulders and again muscular tissues. Plus, because the again is a large, flat a part of the physique, it’s ultimate for giant and sophisticated designs – well-liked decisions embody tribal tattoos, Celtic symbols, and animal motifs. As a shirt normally covers your again, you may simply cover your ink, so that you will be as inventive as you need.

 

 

23. Flower Tattoo

For guys who like basic and old skool tattoos, roses are a superb selection. These flowers have been well-liked for the reason that early sailor tattoo days, and characterize each the gorgeous and difficult elements of life. The rounded form of the flower suits the shoulder placement as a result of it suits the curve of your muscular tissues.

 

 

24. Geometric Tattoo

Geometric tattoos have been rising in reputation lately as a result of their understated but undeniably cool look. Futuristic and minimalistic, they’re good for guys who desire a easy shoulder tattoo that also stands out and exhibits off their persona.

 

 

25. Badass Shoulder Tattoo

The look of a badass tattoo will depend upon the person; for some males, it could possibly be a cranium, weapon, or tribal design. For others, a chook of prey – like an eagle – makes for a robust and intimidating inking. A hovering eagle about to strike seems unbelievable as a shoulder tattoo as a result of the wings will be tapered to span throughout the chest and across the bicep too.